I could really identify with Jim Jelinek's post in 100921 MMDigest.
You could almost feel the pain realizing that a dream of saving
these old music machines has turned into a bad dream.

My dad used to have a saying: "Someone needs to separate the fly poop
from the pepper" (he used a different word than poop).  I have seen
a lot of comments about how to interest the younger generation with
automated music.

I feel another approach may be needed to recruit medium age people
to have some affect on the future of player pianos.  One of the many
factors involved in the demise of the player piano is the genuine
concern I have heard from potential buyers deals with this question,
"Who is going to service my player piano in the future if it needs
attention?"  The electronic organ comes to mind in this dilemma where
music stores sold organs but did not provide service when the organs
had problems.

For the most part, we player piano technicians are a dying breed
and now with the income possibilities dwindling, it is not hard to
understand why the younger generation has little or no interest in
this trade.

I look back to see why I became hooked on player pianos.  It started
with one piano and a friend who helped me restore it.  If this could
work again, maybe the answer is to attract people to start a new hobby.

I have toyed with the idea of teaching a player piano restoration
class at a local community college that offers classes ranging from
photography, chair caning, basic carpentry to computers, etc, etc.
All that is needed is to start a spark with some younger individuals
who will take up the player piano as I did as a hobby 47 years ago,
who will then be available to continue caring for the player pianos
in the future.

Has anyone out there had any experience in a community college venture?

Larry Schuette
Raymond, Nebraska